District Blog

When I first walked into Palm Court’s newest restaurant (or dare I say music lounge?), Estefan Kitchen, the first thought that came to mind was that it was every bit “Miami.” Strewn throughout its interior, there were sparkling white pillars, deep blue and purple mood lighting, a live pianist, waiters buzzing by in head-to-toe white, a singer performing the classics from inside the indoor-outdoor bar, and of course, Miami’s finest foodies wining and dining. It may have been lunchtime on a weekday, but from inside Estefan Kitchen, you would have thought it was a Saturday night. And to match these see-and-be-seen vibes, the food, a menu of fine Cuban cuisine, was as tasty as it was beautifully presented. After the first few bites, it became wildly apparent that this “very Miami” spot was a very nice, lasting addition to the Design District, and it was one created by none other than superstar duo-turned-hospitality vets, Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since our beloved Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the spot that really put the Design District on the map, first opened. But just like that, it’s March 13th, 2017... and here we are.

It’s that time of year again! The South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF®) will be back in Miami next week, and everywhere you look, Magic City foodies are already excited to see what it has in store. Here #atMDD, we’re honoring the 16th installment of the event with a few fab-filled festivities of our own – and in true Design District fashion, we’re even throwing some celebrity chefs into the mix to really make it a party.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re celebrating it with that special someone or your favorite girlfriends, the Miami Design District has plenty of spots where you can wine, dine and shop for the big day.

Flashback to 2016, and I, and all Miamians, were both surprised and excited to hear that nightlife impresario David Grutman – the man behind the likes of LIV, STORY and most recently, Komodo – was teaming up with Miami Design District’s Craig Robins and New York City's The Smile Cafe to open a casual café #atMDD. Fast-forward to January 2017, and it’s hard to tell if the line out its door will ever stop. OTL, which goes by the slogan “Everyone Welcome,” is a two-story space that’s part neighborhood hangout, part coffee shop and part creative space. But above all, it’s a laidback food spot with a small menu of well-made breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, toasts and pastries that have been calling me back since the day I tried it myself. And that was nearly a week ago.